Best Leather Cleaner For Shoes 2024

Owning the best leather cleaner for shoes is key to maintaining spotless sneakers. Cleaning leather shoes effectively requires the right tools, as simply knowing the process isn't enough to achieve that fresh-out-of-the-box look. Luckily, leather is relatively easy to clean, especially with the appropriate shoe cleaner, streamlining the entire process.

When considering options, you have a couple of paths to explore. Sneaker wipes, like the Weiman set, are fantastic for quick touch-ups, providing convenience for on-the-go cleaning. For a more thorough restoration and stain removal, however, investing in a comprehensive shoe cleaning kit, such as the one from Leather Honey, might be the ideal solution. These kits delve deep into cleaning, ensuring every stain is tackled and moisture is replenished, reviving your sneakers.

To help narrow down your search, we've compiled a list of top-notch leather cleaners based on their pricing, user reviews, ease of use, and effectiveness in revitalising your collection. Let's dive in...

Best leather cleaner for shoes

1. Angelus Easy Cleaner - best cleaning solution overall
2. Jason Markk Ready To Use Foam - best foam cleaner
3. Crep Protect Cure - best natural choice
4. Leather Honey Complete Leather Care Kit - best cleaner and conditioner
5. Weiman Leather Cleaner & Conditioner Wipes - best cleaning wipes

Credit: Angelus

1. Angelus Easy Cleaner

Best leather cleaner for shoes overall

The Angelus Easy Cleaner solution stands out as a versatile choice suitable for a variety of sneaker materials, ranging from leather to suede. That's why it earned a spot on our list of the best suede cleaners as well as here.

It stands out due to its delicate yet highly effective formula. Comprising a blend of non-toxic ingredients, it manages to thoroughly clean your shoes without the risk of staining. With an ample 8oz. bottle, you get enough solution for multiple cleaning sessions or for those with an extensive sneaker collection.

Adding to its appeal, the cleaner comes equipped with a soft-bristled brush and a microfibre towel. These essential tools ensure that you have everything required to effortlessly apply the solution and efficiently dry your sneakers afterward. It's a comprehensive package that leaves little to be desired, making it our top recommendation.

• Read More: Best shoe deodorizers

Credit: Jason Markk

2. Jason Markk Ready To Use Foam

Best foam leather cleaner for shoes

If you're seeking a convenient and efficient solution to clean your leather kicks effortlessly, we suggest exploring this Jason Markk Ready To Use Foam.

True to its name, this foam comes pre-diluted, making it ready for immediate application on your shoes. No water is necessary due to its pre-mixed nature. Simply scrub away, then wipe off any excess residue.

Beyond its cleaning capabilities, this solution also boasts leather conditioning properties. This added benefit can prolong the lifespan of your sneakers by preventing the leather from drying out and developing cracks.

So, for a speedy yet effective cleaning and conditioning option, the Jason Markk formula is certainly worth your consideration.

• Read More: Best sneaker protector sprays

Credit: Crep Protect

3. Crep Protect Cure

Best natural leather cleaner for shoes

Sneaker cleaning solutions can be quite harsh at times, containing chemicals that could potentially dry out and damage your shoes if used regularly. This shouldn't be a worry with Crep Protect Cure though as it's made from 98% natural ingredients.

Some of these ingredients include coconut extracts, water, and jojoba which are typically more commonly found in skincare products. In many ways though, leather should be treated like your skin in that it needs moisture to stay healthy, which is where the likes of coconut extracts and jojoba can really help. Also, because the formula is designed to be mixed with water, the 7oz. bottle is said to last over 90 washes according to Crep Protect.

So, if it's a natural solution you're looking for to clean a large collection of sneakers, then this formula from Crep Protect could be for you.

• Read More: Best shoe crease protectors

Credit: Leather Honey

4. Leather Honey Complete Leather Care Kit

Best leather cleaner and conditioner for shoes

As touched on above, maintaining leather isn't just about cleaning, it's also about conditioning and maintaining moisture in the material to avoid it drying out.

This is where this Leather Honey Leather Care Kit comes in. You get both a cleaner and one of the best leather conditioners here, both of which contain non-toxic, natural ingredients, one of the reasons it's considered one of the best car leather cleaners as well.

Once the cleaner and conditioner have been applied, you should find you get up to six months of protection as the solutions soak into the pores of your shoes, creating a water-repellent layer in the process to maintain spotless results.

Each bottle contains 8oz. of solution. So, when diluted with water, you should find it lasts over the course of multiple cleaning sessions, thus making this set great value for money in our eyes.

• Read More: Best suede protectors for shoes

Credit: Weiman

5. Weiman Leather Cleaner & Conditioner Wipes

Best leather cleaner wipes for shoes

We're rounding things off with a slightly different cleaning option in these Weiman Leather Cleaner & Conditioner Wipes.

Unlike liquid solutions, wipes are designed to be quick and easy to use, perfect if you're looking to touch up or remove any glaring stains without having to go through an entire cleaning process.

On top of cleaning and conditioning, Weiman boasts its wipes add UVX-15 sunscreen to your sneakers to protect them from fading, drying, cracking, and general sun damage over time.

Overall, we'd say opting for wipes, like these from Weiman, is well worth considering, perhaps alongside a liquid leather cleaner to give you both a quick option and a more comprehensive cleaning alternative.

• Read More: Best sneakers

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

There are usually a ton of questions that emerge when trying to figure out what the best leather cleaners are. Don't worry though, because we've answered some of the most commonly asked questions right here.

How do you use a leather cleaner to clean your shoes?

Using a leather cleaner on your shoes should be a straightforward process with leather being a relatively durable, robust material and most cleaning solutions being easy to apply.

Some formulas even come pre-diluted, which should make the cleaning process even simpler. All you'd need to do is add a small amount of the cleaning solution to a soft-bristled brush or cloth and begin to scrub away any dirt or stains from your shoes in circular motions.

If you do need to dilute the formula, simply mix the recommended amount with water, then apply it to your brush or cloth ready to clean with.

Once clean, you may want to wipe away any excess residue with a towel before leaving your shoes to dry. Make sure you dry your sneakers naturally rather than using any direct heat or the sun.

How much should you spend on a leather cleaner for shoes?

Shoe cleaners can range in price, so how much you spend will depend on your budget and how much you are willing to invest to keep your sneakers clean.

That said, shoe cleaners aren't overly expensive in the first place, meaning you shouldn't have to break the bank to pick up a top cleaning product.

Leather cleaners also come in a variety of different forms, such as wipes and pre-diluted solutions, both of which tend to be relatively inexpensive to pick up.

Therefore, whatever leather cleaner you're after, you should find there's a cleaning solution out there to suit your budget.

What should you avoid using when cleaning leather shoes?

To avoid irreversible damage to leather sneakers, it's important to know what you shouldn't do when cleaning them.

Firstly, avoid using rough sponges or wired brushes. Both can create small scratches in the material, thus resulting in permanent damage.

Moreover, avoid using any soap or detergent containing harsh chemicals.

Not only can they contain degreasers that could end up removing the oil from the leather and drying it out, but some cleaning products contain bleach which can stain your shoes and cause long-term damage.

Finally, we do not recommend putting your sneakers in the washing machine or dryer. The entire process can cause your shoes to warp, crack the leather, and sometimes fade the colours.